FinFET with a buried semiconductor material between two fins

ABSTRACT

A fin structure for a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device is provided. The device includes a substrate, a first semiconductor material disposed on the substrate, a shallow trench isolation (STI) region disposed over the substrate and formed on opposing sides of the first semiconductor material, and a second semiconductor material forming a first fin and a second fin disposed on the STI region, the first fin spaced apart from the second fin by a width of the first semiconductor material. The fin structure may be used to generate the FinFET device by forming a gate layer formed over the first fin, a top surface of the first semiconductor material disposed between the first and second fins, and the second fin.

BACKGROUND

Semiconductor devices are used in a large number of electronic devices, such as computers, cell phones, and others. Semiconductor devices comprise integrated circuits that are formed on semiconductor wafers by depositing many types of thin films of material over the semiconductor wafers, and patterning the thin films of material to form the integrated circuits. Integrated circuits include field-effect transistors (FETs) such as metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors.

One of the goals of the semiconductor industry is to continue shrinking the size and increasing the speed of individual FETs. To achieve these goals, fin FETs (FinFETs) or multiple gate transistors will be used in advanced transistor nodes. For example, FinFETs not only improve areal density but also improve gate control of the channel.

In an effort to increase the performance and reduce the power consumption of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) and MOSFET devices, the semiconductor industry has employed high mobility semiconductors to replace silicon as the transistor channel. The semiconductor industry has also encouraged substrate isolation techniques through, for example, silicon on insulator (SOI) and heterostructure devices, which can improve off-state characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGS. 1 a-1 h collectively illustrate an embodiment of a process of forming a fin structure for a FinFET device;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of an embodiment of the fin structure produced using the process of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 a-3 i collectively illustrate an embodiment of a process of forming the fin structure of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 a-4 f collectively illustrate an embodiment of a process of forming the fin structure of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5 a-5 g is a collectively illustrate an embodiment of a process of forming a FinFET device using one of the processes collectively illustrated in FIGS. 1 a-1 h, 3 a-3 i, or 4 a-4 f; and

FIG. 6 is an embodiment of a method of forming the fin structure of FIG. 2.

Corresponding numerals and symbols in the different figures generally refer to corresponding parts unless otherwise indicated. The figures are drawn to clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of the embodiments and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The making and using of the presently preferred embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present disclosure provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative, and do not limit the scope of the disclosure.

The present disclosure will be described with respect to preferred embodiments in a specific context, namely a FinFET metal oxide semiconductor (MOS). The invention may also be applied, however, to other integrated circuits, electronic structures, and the like.

FIGS. 1 a-1 h collectively illustrate an embodiment of a process of forming a fin structure 10, which is depicted in FIG. 2, for a FinFET device 12, which is depicted in FIG. 5 g. As will be more fully explained below, the fin structure 10 produces a FinFET device 12 with enhanced transistor performance and improved power consumption by doubling fin density and improving substrate isolation. Indeed, the FinFET device 12 implementing the fin structure 10 provides superior performance, a short channel effect, and desirable off-state leakage control. In addition, the FinFET device 12 formed using the fin structure 10 disclosed herein increases the gate controlled area and decreases the width of the gate in the FinFET device 12 without having to increase the device footprint.

Referring now to FIG. 1 a, a shallow trench isolation (STI) region 14 is formed around a substrate 16. In an embodiment, the STI region 14 is formed from silicon dioxide or other suitable dielectric material. In an embodiment, the substrate 16 is silicon or other suitable semiconductor material. As shown, the substrate 16 generally projects upwardly between portions of the STI region 14. In addition, a top surface 18 of the substrate 16 and a top surface 20 of the STI regions 14 are generally co-planar.

Referring now to FIG. 1 b, a recess 22 is formed by etching away an upper portion of the substrate 16. Thereafter, in FIG. 1 c, a first semiconductor material 24 (a.k.a., Material A) is formed in the recess 22. In an embodiment, the first semiconductor material 24 is epitaxially grown in the recess 22. In an embodiment, after the recess 22 is filled with the first semiconductor material 24 a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process is performed to smooth a top surface 26 of the first semiconductor material 24 and the top surface 20 of the adjacent STI regions 14.

In an embodiment, the first semiconductor material 24 is germanium (Ge), indium phosphide (InP), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), indium arsenide (InAs), gallium antimonide (GaSb), or silicon germanium (SiGe). In an embodiment, the first semiconductor material 24 is a group IV, a group III-V, or a group II-VI semiconductor material. In an embodiment, the first semiconductor material 24 is an alloy of SiGe having the formula Si_(1-x)Ge_(x) (with 1>x>0).

Referring to FIG. 1 d, a hard mask 28 is formed upon the first semiconductor material 24. In an embodiment, the hard mask 28 is formed from silicon nitride or other suitable mask material. Once the hard mask 28 has been deposited, a photolithography process is performed to pattern the hard mask as shown in FIG. 1 d. Next, the upper portion of the STI region 14 is etched selectively to the hard mask as shown in FIG. 1 e. As depicted in FIG. 1 e, opposing sidewalls 30 from an upper portion 32 of the first semiconductor material 24 are now exposed.

Referring now to FIG. 1 f, a second semiconductor material 34 (a.k.a., Material B) is formed on and over the sidewalls 30 of the first semiconductor material 24. In an embodiment, the second semiconductor material 34 is epitaxially grown along the sidewalls 30 of the first semiconductor material 24. As shown, the second semiconductor material 34 is seated upon and projects above the STI region 14. Because the hard mask 28 has not been removed, the second semiconductor material 34 is not grown or otherwise formed upon the top surface 26 of the first semiconductor material 24.

With the second semiconductor material 34 disposed on the sidewalls 30 of the first semiconductor material 24, the hard mask 28 may be removed as illustrated in FIG. 1 g. In an embodiment, the hard mask 28 is removed without attacking the adjacent second semiconductor material 34 and STI regions 14. Thereafter, a selective etch process is performed to remove the upper portion 32 (FIG. 1 e) of the first semiconductor material 24 as shown in FIG. 1 h. As shown in FIG. 1 h, after the first semiconductor material 24 has been etched away, the second semiconductor material 24 forms a first fin 36 and a second fin 38 of the overall fin structure 10.

The first and second fins 36, 38 are generally disposed upon and directly contact the STI region 14 and have a recess 40 interposed between them. In addition, in an embodiment the first fin 36 is spaced apart from the second fin 38 by a width 42 of the first semiconductor material 24. Still referring to FIG. 1 h, the top surface 26 of the first semiconductor material 24 and/or the top surface 20 of the STI region 14 is generally co-planar with a bottom surface 44 of the first and second fins 36, 38. In an embodiment, the top surface 26 of the first semiconductor material 24 may be disposed vertically below the top surface 20 of the STI region 14. As shown, the first and second fins 36, 38 project vertically above the top surface of the first semiconductor material 24. In an embodiment, the first semiconductor material 24 is doped to inhibit or prevent conduction through the first semiconductor material 24.

In an embodiment, the second semiconductor material 34 is silicon (Si) when the first semiconductor material 24 is germanium (Ge). In such an embodiment, the germanium may be etched away with very high selectivity using a solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl). In an embodiment, the second semiconductor material 34 is indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) when the first semiconductor material 24 is indium phosphide (InP). In such an embodiment, the indium phosphide may be etched away with very high selectivity using a solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl).

In an embodiment, the second semiconductor material 34 is indium phosphide (InP) when the first semiconductor material 24 is indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs). In such an embodiment, the indium gallium arsenide may be etched away with very high selectivity using a solution of phosphoric acid and hydrogen peroxide (H₃PO₄+H₂O₂). In an embodiment, the second semiconductor material 34 is gallium antimonide (GaSb) when the first semiconductor material 24 indium arsenide (InAs). In such an embodiment, the indium arsenide may be etched away with very high selectivity using a solution of citric acid and hydrogen peroxide (C₆H₈O₇+H₂O₂).

In an embodiment, the second semiconductor material 34 is indium arsenide (InAs) when the first semiconductor material 24 gallium antimonide (GaSb). In such an embodiment, the gallium antimonide may be etched away with very high selectivity using a solution of ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH). Other combinations and other etch compounds are possible in other embodiments. In some embodiments, selectivity may approach or achieve one hundred percent.

In an embodiment, the second semiconductor material 34 is a group IV, a group III-V, or a group II-VI semiconductor material. In an embodiment, the second semiconductor material 34 is an alloy of SiGe having the formula Si_(1-y)Ge_(y) (with 1>y>0) when the first semiconductor material 24 is an alloy of SiGe having the formula Si_(1-x)Ge_(x) (with 1>x>0), in which case x>y. In such an embodiment, the alloy of SiGe having the formula Si_(1-x)Ge_(x) may be etched away with very high selectivity using a solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl).

Referring now to FIG. 2, in an embodiment a height 46 of the first and second fins 36, 38 on the fin structure 10 may be between about five nanometers (5 nm) and about forty nanometers (40 nm). In an embodiment, a width 48 of the first and second fins 36, 38 may be between about two nanometers (2 nm) and about ten nanometers (10 nm). In an embodiment, a distance 50 between the first and second fins 36, 38 (which generally equates to the width of the upper portion 42 of first semiconductor material 24, as shown in FIG. 1 h) may be between about five nanometers (5 nm) and about twenty nanometers (20 nm). Other dimensions may be possible in other embodiments.

FIGS. 3 a-1 i collectively illustrate another embodiment of a process of forming a fin structure for a FinFET device. After performing the steps of FIGS. 3 a-3 c as previously described above, the first semiconductor material 24 is recessed and a hard mask layer 52 is formed as depicted in FIG. 3 d. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3 e a CMP process is performed to generate the hard mask 28, which is embedded within the STI region 14. Thereafter, the steps of FIGS. 3 f-3 i are performed as previously described above.

FIGS. 4 a-4 f collectively illustrate another embodiment of a process of forming a fin structure for a FinFET device. As shown in FIG. 4 a, a blanket layer of the first semiconductor material 24 is grown or deposited upon the substrate 16. Thereafter, a portion of the first semiconductor material 24 is etched away and replaced by STI region 14 as shown in FIG. 4 b. In FIG. 4 b the first semiconductor material 24 is also etched to provide room for formation of the hard mask 28 thereon. Thereafter, the steps of FIGS. 4 c-4 f are performed as previously described above.

FIGS. 5 a-5 g collectively illustrate an embodiment of a process of forming the FinFET device 12 using, for example, one of the processes collectively illustrated in FIGS. 1 a-1 h, 3 a-3 i, or 4 a-4 f to generate the fin structure 10. As shown in FIG. 5 a, the hard mask 28 has been formed upon the first semiconductor material 24, which is surrounded by the STI region 14. Thereafter, in FIG. 5 b an upper portion of the STI region 14 is removed to expose the sidewalls 30 of the first semiconductor material 24. Notably, the hard mask 28 is still present. Next, as shown in FIG. 5 c the second semiconductor material 34 is epitaxially grown on and over the sidewalls 30 and above the STI region 14.

Once the second semiconductor material 34 has been formed, the hard mask 28 and then the upper portion of the first semiconductor material 24 (i.e., the portion of the first semiconductor material 24 disposed above the STI region 14) are removed, which leaves the fin structure 10. As noted above, the first semiconductor material 24 is selectively removed relative to the second semiconductor material 34. As shown in FIG. 5 d, the removal of the upper portion of the first semiconductor material 24 leaves first and second fins 36, 38, which are spaced apart from each other a distance equal to the width of the first semiconductor material 24. The fins 36, 38 are formed from the second semiconductor material 34.

As shown in FIG. 5 e, a gate layer 54 is formed over a portion of the STI region 14, the first fin 36, the top surface 26 of the first semiconductor material 24, the second fin 38, and then an additional portion of the STI region 14. As shown in FIGS. 5 f-5 g, a spacer 56 and a source/drain contact 58 is formed. For ease of illustration, only one of the spacers 56 and one of the source/drain contacts 58 has been shown in FIG. 5 g. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional spacers 56 and additional source/drain contacts 58 may be formed and employed by the FinFET device 12. In an embodiment, the source/drain contact 58 is formed through an epitaxial growth process.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a method 60 of forming a FinFET device is provided. In block 62, the first semiconductor material 24 is formed on the substrate. In block 64, the STI region 14 is formed over the substrate 16 and a lower portion of the first semiconductor material 24. In block 66, a second semiconductor material is epitaxially grown along sidewalls 30 of the upper portion 32 of the first semiconductor material 24. In block 68, the upper portion of the first semiconductor material is selectively etched away to form the first fin 36 and the second fin 38, which are spaced apart from each other by a width of the first semiconductor material 24.

A fin structure for a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device. The device comprises a substrate, a first semiconductor material disposed on the substrate, a shallow trench isolation (STI) region disposed over the substrate and formed on opposing sides of the first semiconductor material, and a second semiconductor material forming a first fin and a second fin disposed on the STI region, the first fin spaced apart from the second fin by a width of the first semiconductor material.

A field effect transistor (FinFET) device. The device comprises a substrate, a first semiconductor material disposed on the substrate, a shallow trench isolation (STI) region disposed over the substrate and formed on opposing sides of the first semiconductor material, a second semiconductor material forming a first fin and a second fin disposed on the STI region, the first fin spaced apart from the second fin by a width of the first semiconductor material, and a gate layer formed over the first fin, a top surface of the first semiconductor material disposed between the first and second fins, and the second fin.

A method of forming a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device. The method comprises forming a first semiconductor material on a substrate, forming a shallow trench isolation (STI) region over the substrate and a lower portion of the first semiconductor material, epitaxially growing a second semiconductor material along sidewalls of an upper portion of the first semiconductor material, and selectively etching away the upper portion of the first semiconductor material to form a first fin and a second fin, the first fin spaced apart from the second fin by a width of the first semiconductor material.

While the disclosure provides illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is therefore intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fin structure for a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device, comprising: a substrate comprising a substrate material; a first semiconductor material disposed on the substrate, the first semiconductor material different than the substrate material; a shallow trench isolation (STI) region abutting the substrate and formed on opposing sides of the first semiconductor material; a second semiconductor material forming a first fin and a second fin disposed on the STI region, the first fin spaced apart from the second fin by a width of the first semiconductor material; and a dielectric material interposed between the first fin and the second fin.
 2. The fin structure of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor material is capable of being selectively etched relative to the second semiconductor material.
 3. The fin structure of claim 1, wherein the first and second fins project vertically above a top surface of the first semiconductor material.
 4. The fin structure of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor material is one of a group IV, a group III-V, and a group II-VI semiconductor material.
 5. The fin structure of claim 1, wherein the second semiconductor material is one of a group IV, a group III-V, and a group II-VI semiconductor material.
 6. The fin structure of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor material is a first alloy of silicon germanium (SiGe) and the second semiconductor material is a second alloy of SiGe.
 7. The fin structure of claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor material is germanium and the second semiconductor material is silicon.
 8. The fin structure of claim 1, wherein the second semiconductor material is an epitaxially grown semiconductor material.
 9. The fin structure of claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the first fin and the second fin are above a topmost surface of the first semiconductor material.
 10. A field effect transistor (FinFET) device, comprising: a substrate; a first semiconductor material disposed on the substrate; a shallow trench isolation (STI) region abutting the substrate and formed on opposing sides of the first semiconductor material; a second semiconductor material forming a first fin and a second fin disposed on the STI region, the first fin spaced apart from the second fin by a width of the first semiconductor material; and a gate layer formed over the first fin, a top surface of the first semiconductor material disposed between the first and second fins, and the second fin, wherein the gate layer is interposed directly between the first fin and the second fin.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the first semiconductor material is capable of being selectively etched relative to the second semiconductor material.
 12. The device of claim 10, wherein the gate layer is formed on sidewalls and a top surface of the first and second fins.
 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the gate layer is not formed on sidewalls of the first semiconductor material.
 14. The device of claim 10, wherein the first semiconductor material is non-conductive.
 15. The device of claim 10, wherein the second semiconductor material is an epitaxially grown semiconductor material.
 16. The fin structure of claim 10, wherein a bottom surface of the first fin and the second fin are above a topmost surface of the first semiconductor material.
 17. A fin structure for a fin field effect transistor (FinFET) device, comprising: a first semiconductor material having a bottom surface and sidewalls, the bottom surface abutting a substrate and the sidewalls abutting a shallow trench isolation (STI) region, and the shallow trench isolation region abutting the substrate wherein the first semiconductor material is a different material than the material of the substrate; a second semiconductor material providing a first fin and a second fin disposed vertically above the first semiconductor material, the first and second fins abutting a top surface of the STI region, the first fin spaced apart from the second fin by a width of the first semiconductor material; and a gate layer formed over the first fin and a top surface of the first semiconductor material between the first and second fins, wherein the gate layer extends along a first sidewall and a second sidewall of the first fin, the first sidewall being a different sidewall than the second sidewall.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the first semiconductor material and the second semiconductor material react differently to a same etchant.
 19. The device of claim 17, wherein a height of the first semiconductor material is greater than a width of the first semiconductor material.
 20. The fin structure of claim 17, wherein a bottom surface of the first fin and the second fin are above a topmost surface of the first semiconductor material. 